Volusia County launches Florida’s 1st domestic violence offender database

Volusia County has launched what officials say is Florida’s first online database allowing residents to search for domestic violence offenders — giving people a new tool to make more informed decisions about who they allow into their lives.Anyone convicted of a domestic violence charge in a Volusia County courthouse will be added to the live, running database, which is connected directly to the county’s court system. The registry includes people with domestic or dating violence convictions in Volusia County over the past 10 years.[GET HELP: Find programs for domestic violence survivors across Central Florida]The database was the idea of Volusia County Councilman Matt Reinhart, who says its usefulness extends beyond dating or romantic relationships.“We have a very large elderly community here in Volusia County, and unfortunately, not everybody is equipped with the financial means to put them into residential treatment or something,” Reinhart said. “They have to involve individuals comin